Bell HH-1H accident near Reno, Nevada, June 2, 2022
On June 2, 2022 at about 11:00 pm local time, a Bell HH-1H (helicopter), registered N91JK, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Reno, Nevada. It was a public-use flight (local) under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s loss of control following the inadvertent placement of his foot behind the anti-torque pedal.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 2, 2022 · about 11:00 pm local time · cases in 2022
- Place
- Reno, Nevada · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell HH-1H · all HH-1Hs on the register
- Registration
- N91JK · registry record · serial 70-2482
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Public-use flight (local) · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The two pilots were practicing pinnacle landings and takeoffs on a hilltop. The pilot in command (PIC) in the right seat was performing a takeoff when the helicopter encountered a wind gust that resulted in a right yaw. The PIC applied left anti-torque pedal to arrest the yaw when his left heel slipped off the front end of the footrest. His foot became wedged between the pedal and footrest, which resulted in an uncontrollable left spin. The PIC reduced collective, and the helicopter landed hard. The landing skids collapsed on landing, substantially damaging the fuselage and tail. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Other weather encounter during initial climb
- Miscellaneous/other during initial climb
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Attempted remediation/recovery during initial climb
- Off-field or emergency landing during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Response/compensation
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Yaw control › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,154 hours in all; 187 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 1,077 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 11, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 5,500 hours in all; 700 in this make and model; 50 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 5,500 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 31, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, July 9, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 10,500 lb
- Seats: 15
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming T53-L-703 (turboshaft); 2,174 hours total
- Operator: Washoe County Sheriff Dept
The flight
- Departed from: RTS Reno NV at 9:45 pm
- Destination: RTS Reno NV
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 15 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 25,000 ft; clear at 11,000 ft
- Temperature: 80°F (27°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 3006.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:55 pm from KRNO, 14 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KRNO 022255Z 27012G28KT 10SM SCT110 SCT150 BKN250 26/M01 A2989 RMK AO2 PK WND 29028/2247 WSHFT 2159 SLP076 ACSL DSNT S THRU W T02611006
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Photographs from the investigation 4 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photo 1 – Underbelly Right Side (FAA Photo)
Photo 2 – Underbelly Left Side (FAA Photo)
Photo 3 – Tail (FAA Photo)
Photo 4 – Anti-torque Pedals (FAA Photo)The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on July 19, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statements | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N91JK the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N91JK on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Bell HH-1 13 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Bell 3,079 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Lycoming T53-L-703 13 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Reno/Stead Airport · departed from
- Accidents and incidents in Nevada 1,294 since 1982 · 223 in the last ten years
- Nevada 4,589 aircraft registered
- Other NTSB records under N91JK 1 records · the number may have belonged to another aircraft at the time
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/WPR22LA205.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.